DISOXLDATION EFrECTED BY THE AL KAL INE PEEOXIDES. 
855 
Now it is estimated that at ordinary temperatures 100 parts of water absorb 38 parts 
of hydrochloric acid, while the acid employed was found to contain 30’33 per cent. 
Hence s in each experiment is determined from the proportion 
100 1004 -«? . . 1 . . 
38 • 30-33 • • 
whence 
38(100 + <7) 38 38 xrf 
100 X 30-33 ~ 30-33 "^3033 
= l-25+0-0125x<?; 
and if 3 / be put =.s— 1 , 
3 / = 0-25+0-0125 xd; 
and, lastly, if cc be put = the oxygen equivalent to the chlorine evolved, ^ the total 
oxygen in the peroxide of barium being assumed as 1 , we have, assuming 16-02 as the 
total oxygen 
8-01 : 
whence 
Vi e have from the preceding experiments the following values for d, s, y, and x : — 
Experiment. 
d. 
s. 
y- 
a*. 
I. 
0 
0 
1-25 
0-25 
1-000 
11. 
5 
20 
1-5 
0-50 
1-000 
III. 
6‘25 
25 
1-5622 
0-5622 
0-9814 
IV. 
7-0 
30 
1-625 
0-625 
0-9567 
' V. 
10 
40 
1-75 
0-750 
0-8263 
VI. 
15 
60 
2-00 
1-00 
0-5104 
VII. 
20 
80 
2-25 
1-25 
0-2448 
VIII. 
25 
100 
2-50 
1-50 
0-1167 
IX. 
30 
120 
2-75 
1-75 
0-0844 
X. 
35 
140 
3-00 
2-00 
0-0574 
XI. 
40 
160 
3-258 
2-25 
0-0406 
XII. 
50 
200 
3-75 
2-73 
0-0246 
XIII. 
60 
240 
4-25 
3-25 
trace. 
A delineation of the experiments is given in the annexed curve, Plate XXXVIIL 
Catalytic Decompositions. 
It has now been shown that the alkaline peroxides have a double function, and can 
be used as agents either of oxidation or of reduction. By certain modifications of the 
conditions of the experiment, we can produce separately either result. It is not 
unreasonable to suppose that, among the numerous and varied forms of chemical decom- 
position, instances would be found in which these phenomena would occur simul- 
taneously. If this were to be the case, the result would be what is termed a contact (Or 
catalytic) decomposition, but caused by two successive changes of a normal chemical 
character. 
That the combination of the oxidizing with the reducing action of the peroxide of 
6 A 2 
